Spring in Canada

Back in Canada and getting used to the cooler weather.
Though spring has been around here for a while we are still back in time to experience it at its best.

It is a great welcome back to see the flowering cherry in full bloom.
This pic was taken the day we arrived. Now 2 weeks later the lawn is a carpet of pink.

It is always interesting to see what survived in the vege garden over the winter and to be able to build on the experience in the future.
The carrots that were over wintered have been harvested. A few heads of lettuce remained as did the collards.
Arugala has gone to seed but there are enough leaves to flavour salads.
There are 3 kinds of onions- sweet red onions, walla walla onions planted in August and a row of scallions.
The field peas planted as a green manure are thick on the ground and we are enjoying eating the shoots in stir fries and salads.
Asparagus that were planted as babies last summer are growing strong though still only pencil thin. We'll hopefully start eating them next year.

 The apple trees planted last year have lots of blossom.

Already we have resumed deer fencing. This is along a south boundary that we had 30' cedars removed from last fall. The sun in the yard is most welcome. This fence is being built out of driftwood from the local beaches. A bit funky but fitting right in.

Lots of Rhodos blooming. They were here when we moved onto the property. Their colourful blooms still amaze me each spring.

B.C Spring

Back in Canada we are enjoying spring weather. A nice contrast to the sweltering days we were having in Thailand.

This is the first spring we have experienced on this new property in B.C.

The spring show has been beautiful with the flowering cherry and the rhodos putting on a brilliant show.

The plants I brought out from Ontario last fall have for the most part put down roots and survived their first winter here.

We are still waiting for the wood to start building a deer fence.(Ordered it 9 months ago, but hey we are working on island time here).
In the mean time we are putting in new raised beds that will be surrounded with bird netting that will hopefully also deter the deer.

I've also started a lot of seedlings. A plastic covered mini hoop house is protecting the plants until they get big enough to be transplanted. At least it helps me feel I am making progress on the gardening front.

The lilac tree that I've been threatening to chop down is now putting on a wonderful show. It is in the wrong place, but maybe if I give it a hard chop back it can stay around for a little while longer.

Sointula, B.C

It is pretty exciting to finally arrive in Sointula (Finnish meaning peace and harmony), Malcolm Island, Brtitish Columbia. Home of my next garden.

It's going to be a while before I get started. In a few weeks we head back to Ontario for the summer. But there is no reason why I can't dream right?

Here is the view from the front window. We are right on the sea with all those fresh breezes. I think I am going to need a small green house to help keep the tomatoes warm.

Above is a nice sunny spot where I'll be starting it all. There are many deer around, so one of the first jobs will be to erect some tall fences.

We have spent quite a few days exploring the village  on our bicycles.

I have discovered the community gardens. Lots going on there. Actually lots of gardening on the island. Lots of inspiration!

There will be a few new tricks to learn. The deer for one, and the cool summers and fresh ocean breezes. The bonus's are the really long summer days and the mild winters with almost no snow and hardly any frosts.

Now I am at the planning stage. Armed with tape measures and graph paper.Lots of dreaming going on.

Back in BC

We have arrived in British Columbia.
The sun is shining and spring is under way. In a few days we head up to Malcolm Island and see the property we have just bought. The container of our stuff will be following us. All very exciting.

OK this colourful lizard isn't from BC. He was visiting my garden in Thailand the day we left.

We hooked up with our camper in Victoria. It wintered over with our friends Scott and Andy.
The next day we were out in the boat checking out Scotts shrimp traps. It was a successful haul.

 
I did like the raised beds on the dock filled with veges.

 Veges in a bath tub also.

In a few days we head north to Malcolm Island and all that will offer us.